There are only two villas at this serene Jetwing escape, Kurulubedda, both of them tucked deep into the forest near the Sri Lankan village of Mahamodera, near Galle.

Overview: This is about as isolated as you can get for a hotel room, considering you can only get here by taking a boat through the mangroves or walking down endless mud tracks and pushing through thick foliage.

The view from the balcony in the morning is sensational – tropical plants and a river as a backdrop make you feel like you’re in the heart of the jungle.

The only downside is that the staff here can be on the slow side – if you ask for anything from coffee to a taxi, expect an hour or so wait.

Wow factor Each villa comes with its own private pool, which staff light candles around in the evening – sliding into that with a glass of wine at night, as you hear the crickets chirping around you, is utter bliss.

Oh, and they bring you breakfast in the morning to eat on the deck, making it a perfect start to the day.

Rooms Small but very comfortable. The grey stone and light woods used to build the villas match the environment perfectly, and you can see out into the surrounding forest from every room.